We stayed in Cadiz during our 2-week Andalusia road trip in March 2024. We spent one full day here (two nights). While we felt this was enough time to see the city, you could arguably stay an extra day if you wanted to explore more outside of the city center or have some more time with beaches. We will include a list of extra things to do at the end of the post that we didn’t get to see/do due to our short stay.
There is a map of all our suggestions at the end of this post. If you want to check out where we ate during our day, our gluten free in Andalusia guide is here.
In this guide you will find:
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When is the best time to visit Cadiz?
We travelled to Cadiz in late March and had mixed weather. The full day we were there it was super windy, and we had bouts of pouring rain. However, the day we were leaving it was beautifully warm and sunny. We have family who have travelled there in October with wonderful weather.
Most travel websites will say to visit in May – June, or September – October for great weather and fewer crowds than high season. Summer (July and August) is extremely hot, and even locals will try to leave the area due to the high heat. Despite summer being unbearably hot, it is still considered high season in terms of crowds and prices.
October to February is the rainy season in Cadiz. Despite this, there are national holidays that see increased prices and more locals making their way to this coastal city. Specific holidays to avoid in Cadiz are Christmas, New Year’s, Constitution Day (December 6), Immaculate Conception (December 8), Carnival (February 17), and Andalusia Day (February 28). Carnival is the most important local festival.
Where to stay?
We stayed at Hotel Argantonio, which was a steal of a deal. It is right in the centre of the old town (El Populo), so super walkable to all the main sights. They only have a couple parking spaces, and you must book in advance, which we didn’t know. This meant we had to park in a public parkade for the price of your first-born child. We also didn’t add on the optional breakfast, so I’m not sure how that is. The hotel itself was quiet, the room was clean, and it was so central and walkable.
We have family who stayed at Hipotels Playa la Barosa and loved it, but it is out of town and more suited to a beach vacation rather than spending most of your time in the town itself.
Explore Cadiz hotel availability below:
Things to Do in Cadiz
1. Parque Genoves
A major park within the city. Well-manicured with a waterfall. There’s an open-air café you can get a snack and coffee at.
2. Playa de La Caleta
A beach in the city center. Has a promenade you can walk along if you want to see the beach but not have a beach day.
3. Plaza de San Juan de Dios
Main plaza in the center of town, it is bound to be full of life and activities.
4. Catedral de Cadiz
Cathedral in the center of the city, you can go in if you want (we did not). You can buy tickets direct, or through a tour.
5. Torre Tavira
You can experience panoramic city views by going up this tower (we didn’t enter).
6. La Vina
Fisherman’s quarter of the city, super interesting to walk through the streets of this area.
7. Mercado Central
Traditional market with many vendors. Go in the morning! We went at 1:30pm and about 75% of the stalls were closed down, so we went back the next morning before leaving Cadiz to get the full feel of the market.
8. El Populo
The old town of Cadiz, which is super charming to walk through. Many boutiques, unique shops, and cafes.
9. Castillo de San Sebastian
Castle at the end of a spit going into the bay. There was a windstorm and it was pouring rain, so it was closed for safety when we tried to go.
10. Castillo de Santa Catalina
Castle along the waterfront. You can go in for free, and they often have exhibitions inside. Great views from the tops of the walls!
11. Chato Beach
Outside of the main downtown of Cadiz, this is an expansive beach with lots of parking. The nice thing here is that it’s removed from the city. Lots of surfers here when we passed through.
12. Monumento a la Constitution de 1812
Large monument in a main square that sits along the waterfront.
Extra Things to Do (that we didn’t get to)
- Cadiz Museum (free for EU citizens, 1.50 Euro otherwise)
- Sunset cruise
- Teatro Romano de Cadiz (Ancient Roman theatre)
- Yacimiento Arqueologico Gadir (archaeological site)
- Walking tour of Cadiz
More Cadiz Beaches
Due to weather, we didn’t spend any time at the beach. We passed by one during our exploration of the city center and made a quick stop at another on our way out of town. Here are some more options if beach time is what you seek:
MAP of Things to Do in Cadiz
HOW TO USE THE MAP: Click on the Wanderlog logo in the bottom right corner to open the full-size map up in a new tab. There, you can choose to just look at one type of activity at a time or see all the activities on the map at once (click the 3 squares in the top right to choose). You can also export the map to Google Maps, share the map with others, or save the map.
Helpful Planning Tips
I rely on these tools when planning my trips:
- Get Your Guide – book tickets to experiences such as a walking tour, catamaran cruise, or a tapas and wine tour
- Airalo eSIM – get Spanish data instantly on arrival, without roaming charges
- Stay22 – compare hotels across Cadiz at a glance
- Wanderlog – keep track of your trip details, organize your itinerary, and map out your stops
